PRAGMATISM

The fatalism that tinges much South Asian thinking acts as a cushion in times of disaster, of which there is no lack in this region. It produces an unquestioning acceptance of suffering and deprivation.

People are resigned to their pre-ordained and unchangeable fate. Fatalism also produces another by-product – pragmatism, that is, the attitude that only what produces practical results in the here and now matters.

Pragmatism sees the right solution to an ethical dilemma as whatever produces the desired result. It argues that the end justifies the means. Thus a farmer who needs water for his crop may simply break a water-supply pipe in order to flood his field. But this is not a long-term solution to his water problem, and it harms the community as a whole. Similarly, the queue jumping and bribery for which South Asians are famous are pragmatic responses to the competition for scarce resources in the region. But these short-term solutions perpetuate corruption, indiscipline and a lack of consideration for the community. The short-term focus of pragmatism may lead to long-term harm.

The Bible contains many examples of people making pragmatic decisions that lead to long-term harm. The kings of Israel made pragmatic decisions to ally themselves with other nations rather than relying on God’s protection. David, however, refused to go the pragmatic route when he refused to kill Saul in order to take his crown (1 Sam 24:1-15).

Pragmatism has no concept of doing something simply because it is objectively right or because God has commanded us to do it. From a pragmatist’s perspective, the most important element in religious beliefs is that they produce peace and prosperity for me and my family. Unfortunately, some Christians pander to this attitude by preaching a gospel of prosperity while ignoring what the Bible has to say about suffering and our responsibility to God and to others.

But pragmatism is not always bad. God expects us to be concerned about the consequences of our actions. He gives us wisdom and understanding and expects us to use them. Paul twice took pragmatic action to escape assassins (Acts 9:24-25; 23:12-33). Rahab took pragmatic action when she hid Joshua’s spies in her house and was rewarded with her life and by being included in the genealogy of Jesus (Josh 2:1-21; Matt 1:5).

What determines whether a pragmatic act is right or wrong is whether it can be done while living in obedience to God and to his command to love others. Christians need to hold in tandem the need to be pragmatic and the need to walk in faith and obedience. The call to a life of faith may involve decisions that lead to suffering and denial. That is the path Jesus himself trod, and we are to follow him.

The type of pragmatism Christians should display is one that considers long-term results, harmoniously blends faith with personal responsibility, and is rooted in God, who is himself the ultimate reality and objective truth.

Ellen Alexander